Apparatus, system, kit and method for installation of roofing shingles

ABSTRACT

A shingle support according to this invention is easily aligned on and affixed to roof rafters. Once affixed, the shingle support provides a support to roofing shingles, to facilitate installation. It also provides the function of creating a protective terminus to each shingle to prevent lifting and damage by wind. As a result of use of the shingle support according to this invention, roofers are provided with an apparatus, kit, system and method for roof shingle installation superior to that currently available. In addition, the resulting roof shingle installation is more robust than known roof shingle installations.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Roofing shingle installation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Known methods for installing roofing shingles have a number of drawbacks. First, and in particular with sharply pitched roofs, an installer of roofing shingles has to not only balance themselves, they also have to correctly align the roofing shingle with roof rafters prior to fixation into place. Accordingly, safety of the installer may be compromised. In addition, with standard roofing shingles, the lower edges of the shingles are subject to exposure, lifting and tearing by high winds. As a result, water may then penetrate the roof and cause damage.

Prior efforts have been made to address these concerns, as in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,054,222 (“Buckner”) and U.S. Pat. No. 3,646,717, (“Parker”). However, neither of these or other references identified in the course of preparing this application fully address and overcome these problems.

Accordingly, there remains a long-felt need in the art for other and better solutions to these problems. The present apparatus, system and method provides protection to the lower edges of shingles, and enhances the ease and safety of roofing shingle installation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus, referred to herein as a “shingle support”, which may be easily aligned on and affixed to roof rafters. Once affixed, the shingle support according to this invention provides a support to roofing shingles, to facilitate installation. It also provides the function of creating a protective terminus to each shingle to prevent lifting and damage by wind. In a first embodiment according to this invention, the shingle support comprises a flat planar strip portion with a lip portion projecting upward and at an angle with respect to at the lower edge of said planar strip portion, into which the lower edge of a roofing shingle is placed for support during installation and for retention after installation. As a result of use of the shingle support according to this invention, roofers are provided with an apparatus, system and method for roof shingle installation superior to that currently available. In addition, the resulting roof shingle installation is more robust than known roof shingle installations. Other embodiments of the apparatus, as well as systems, kits and methods for its use, will become apparent to those skilled in the art based on the full written and enabling disclosure which follows, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides front elevational view of the shingle support according to this invention.

FIG. 2 provides a side or end-on elevational view of the shingle support according to this invention.

FIG. 3 provides front elevational view of the shingle support according to this invention with a shingle disposed within and supported by a lip portion of said shingle support.

FIG. 4 provides a front elevational view of two shingle layers each supported by a shingle support according to this invention.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS ACCORDING TO THIS INVENTION Description of the Apparatus

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there are shown several views of the shingle support 100 according to this invention. The shingle support 100 comprises a flat planar strip portion 101 with a lip portion 102 projecting at a slight angle from the lower edge 107 of said planar strip portion 101, into which the lower edge of a roofing shingle 200 is placed for support during installation. The point at which the planar strip portion 101 and where the lip portion 102 meet, may be at an acute angle, as shown in the figures, or there may be a slightly flattened portion at the juncture to accommodate the lower edge of the roofing shingle 200 when placed into the lip portion.

The flat planar strip portion 101 has a width 104 and a height 105 appropriate for the dimensions and type of roofing shingle to be installed. Likewise, the lip portion 102 has dimensions of height 106 and width 104 appropriate for the dimensions and type of roofing shingle to be installed. Preferably, the lip portion 102 has dimensions just sufficient to properly grip the lower edge of each roofing shingle 200 placed therein, so as to spare material costs and to control uneveness of the completed roof. Preferably, the thickness 108 of the flat planar portion 101 and the lip portion 106 is kept to a minimum, sufficient to provide structural strength and rigidity, while minimizing material costs for production and flatness and weight of the completely installed roof. In FIG. 2b , there is shown an embodiment of the lip portion 102 b which includes a gripping surface 106 b for optimal retention of the lower portion of the roofing shingle once inserted into the lip portion.

Optionally, but preferably, the shingle support's 100 flat planar portion 101 has a series of holes, score marks, frangible portions or the like 103 defined therein for passage of nails, screws or like fixation means to pass through to affix that portion of the shingle support 100 to an underlying roof rafter support structure. These holes, score marks, frangible portions or the like are present in appropriate numbers and are spaced apart as appropriate for the particular roof shingles to be installed. The lip portion 102 may be unitary with or may be affixed to the flat planar portion 101 by a hinge or the like.

In a preferred embodiment, the flat planar portion 101 and lip portion 102 are manufactured from a single piece of metal, e.g. aluminum, plastic, or any other appropriate material, with the lip portion 102 representing a crimpable, bendable, spring-loaded, or otherwise gripping portion which, when the roofing shingle has been supported and affixed in place, holds the lower portion of the roofing shingle in place, thereby preventing gusts of wind or the like from lifting and tearing the shingle. Methods known in the art, e.g. extrusion, molding and the like, are available to those skilled in the art to accomplish manufacture of the shingle support 100 based on the present description of its required functions and dimensions.

Description of how to Use the Apparatus and Related Kits, Systems, and Methods

In practice, as shown in FIG. 4, a roofer installs a first shingle support 100 a, by affixing it to an underlying rafter. The roofer then lays a shingle 200 a into the lip portion 102 of the shingle support 100 a. Installation of a subsequent shingle layer is then initiated by laying a further shingle support 100 b over a top portion of the first shingle layer 200 a and affixing that shingle support 100 b to an underlying rafter, through the first shingle layer 200 a thereby affixing the first shingle layer to the underlying roof rafter. In this manner, subsequent layers of shingles, e.g. 102 b, are then overlapped onto the first layer in the same manner, as shown in FIG. 4, until the entire roof has been shingled.

A kit according to this invention preferably includes at least one shingle support 100 according to the invention, optionally with appropriate shingles and fixation means. In a preferred embodiment according to this aspect of the invention, a kit includes sufficient shingle supports 100 according to this invention to complete an entire roof shingling project.

A system according to this invention preferably includes at least one shingle support 100 according to the invention, optionally with appropriate shingles and fixation means. In a preferred embodiment according to this aspect of the invention, a system includes sufficient shingle supports 100 according to this invention to complete an entire roof shingling project, along with any necessary shingles, fixations means and the like.

The method according to the invention preferably includes application of the shingle support 100 and shingles as described herein above. Because of the robustness of the shingle supports and roof shingle installations produced according to this invention, it is also possible to vary the method of installation by producing, e.g. plywood sections or rafters with pre-installed roof shingles held in place by the shingle support 100 according to this invention for modular roof installation.

Alternate Embodiments and Features of the Apparatus and Related Kits, Systems, and Methods

Based on the present disclosure, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications of the essential features of the apparatus 100 as described herein may be made without departing from the heart of the invention disclosed herein and as encompassed by the appended claims. For example, each shingle support 100 may include features to maximize water drainage and run-off, e.g. as shown in FIG. 3, 109, which shows at least one and up to a plurality of drainage holes in the lower aspect of the lip portion 102 c. Other features may be included to optimize overlay of subsequent layers of roofing shingles and the like. Such variations, improvements and equivalents thereof are considered to fall within the scope of the appended claims, provided the essential features of this invention are retained, as described herein above.

A further modification of the method according to this invention includes using the shingle support 100 in only selected portions of a roof shingling project such that not all shingling layers comprise the shingle support. For example, in one embodiment according this invention, the shingle support is only used in connection with the first layer of shingles laid around the lower edge and periphery of a roofing project. In yet a further embodiment, the shingle support is only used in alternating shingle layers. Various other permutations and combinations of such shingle support 100 usage in a given roof shingling project will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on a review of the complete disclosure and appended claims.

Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that a roof comprising at least one shingle support according to this invention would come within the scope of this invention and the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shingle support comprising; a. a flat planar portion; and b. a lip portion projecting from a lower aspect of said flat planar portion, such that a lower edge of a shingle may be received and supported within said lip portion.
 2. The shingle support according to claim 1 wherein said flat planar portion and said lip portion are unitary or are affixable to each other.
 3. The shingle support according to claim 1 wherein said lip portion projects from a lower aspect of said planar portion sufficiently to accept receipt of a lower portion of a shingle but which is then crimped or otherwise grips said lower portion of said shingle for retention therein.
 4. The shingle support according to claim 1 manufactured from metal or plastic.
 5. The shingle support according to claim 4 manufactured from aluminum.
 6. The shingle support according to claim 1 wherein said flat planar portion has a series of holes, score marks, frangible portions or the like defined therein for passage of nails, screws or like fixation means to pass through to affix that portion of the shingle support to an underlying roof rafter support structure.
 7. The shingle support according to claim 6 wherein said holes, score marks, frangible portions or the like are present in appropriate numbers and are spaced apart as appropriate for the particular roof shingles to be installed.
 8. The shingle support according to claim 1 further comprising at least one drainage hole in the lower aspect of the lip portion.
 9. A method for installing roof shingles comprising: a. affixing a shingle support to a roof rafter, wherein said shingle support comprising a flat planar portion, and a lip portion projecting from a lower aspect of said flat planar portion, such that a lower edge of a shingle may be received and supported within said lip portion; and b. overlapping shingles supported by said shingle support, repeatedly, until the entire roof has been shingled.
 10. A roof comprising at least one shingle support comprising a flat planar portion, and a lip portion projecting from a lower aspect of said flat planar portion, such that a lower edge of a shingle is received and supported within said lip portion. 